TEXAS NEWS
Panhandle history museum scrambles to protect 2 million artifacts as it fights permanent closure
Read full article: Panhandle history museum scrambles to protect 2 million artifacts as it fights permanent closureWith a steep price tag, saving the landmark museum won’t be easy, but area residents and leaders are looking for solutions.
Why a Panhandle businessman wants to take over the region’s electric utility
Read full article: Why a Panhandle businessman wants to take over the region’s electric utilitySalem Abraham claims Minnesota-based Xcel Energy has not lived up to its promise of protecting the region from wildfires. The company vehemently disagrees.
About 200 Texas A&M courses could change due to new restrictions on teaching gender, race
Read full article: About 200 Texas A&M courses could change due to new restrictions on teaching gender, raceWith the semester set to begin next week, professors have been directed to alter courses, and some classes have been removed or reassigned from the core curriculum at the College Station campus.
Houston Pride moves festival and parade to early June for the first time in nearly 50 years due to FIFA World Cup events
Read full article: Houston Pride moves festival and parade to early June for the first time in nearly 50 years due to FIFA World Cup eventsHouston’s Pride Festival and Parade is making history by moving to Saturday, June 6, 2026, for the first time in nearly 50 years. The change, due to FIFA World Cup events later in June, kicks off a month-long celebration of diversity, advocacy, and community.
Trump administration to add 500 miles of migrant-deterring buoys along Rio Grande
Read full article: Trump administration to add 500 miles of migrant-deterring buoys along Rio GrandeHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to expand on Texas’ controversial floating barrier during a Wednesday visit to the Rio Grande Valley.
Lawsuit filed against H-E-B, others after 4 Houston-area women killed in 18-wheeler crash
Read full article: Lawsuit filed against H-E-B, others after 4 Houston-area women killed in 18-wheeler crashA wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against H-E-B and its contracted trucking companies after an 18-wheeler struck a car on US Highway 87, killing four women from Houston.
Trump says the U.S. will fix Venezuela’s oil industry. Texas experts say the idea faces hurdles.
Read full article: Trump says the U.S. will fix Venezuela’s oil industry. Texas experts say the idea faces hurdles.Texas-based oil companies have largely been silent on Trump’s assertion that they would help to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie Kirk
Read full article: Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie KirkThe Texas Education Agency received hundreds of complaints about educators’ online reactions to the conservative activist’s death.
In this East Texas county, you need a membership to drink at a bar. That may soon change.
Read full article: In this East Texas county, you need a membership to drink at a bar. That may soon change.Texas cities and counties largely control when and where liquor can be sold. Just three counties are totally dry.
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz wants legal status for migrant workers in struggling construction industry
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz wants legal status for migrant workers in struggling construction industrySouth Texas builders said a growing number of ICE arrests at construction sites have made it difficult for work to continue.
Texas residents warned about mystery seed packages arriving from China
Read full article: Texas residents warned about mystery seed packages arriving from ChinaMysterious seed packages from China are showing up in Texas homes. Officials warn they could threaten farms and gardens. If you get one, don’t open it—keep it sealed and call the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Houston businessman Andrew White drops bid for Texas governor, endorses fellow Democrat Gina Hinojosa
Read full article: Houston businessman Andrew White drops bid for Texas governor, endorses fellow Democrat Gina HinojosaThe son of the late former Gov. Mark White had hoped to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott by running as a moderate, but failed to raise enough money to be competitive.
‘Community hero in action:’ Young Tomball boy rescues turtle at Burroughs Park with deputy’s help
Read full article: ‘Community hero in action:’ Young Tomball boy rescues turtle at Burroughs Park with deputy’s helpA young visitor is being recognized by Harris County Precinct 4 as a “Community Hero in Action” after helping rescue a turtle that may not have survived much longer without help.
Houston oil companies react as Venezuela turmoil raises questions about energy markets
Read full article: Houston oil companies react as Venezuela turmoil raises questions about energy marketsHouston oil companies, such as Chevron and ConocoPhillips, are closely monitoring the political turmoil in Venezuela following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.
North Texas’ largest public transit system may come undone in 2026
Read full article: North Texas’ largest public transit system may come undone in 2026The push by four Dallas-area suburbs to exit the multi-city partnership comes as state transportation officials have said the state needs more public transit, not less.
From school vouchers to flood warning systems, these are the Texas developments to watch in 2026
Read full article: From school vouchers to flood warning systems, these are the Texas developments to watch in 2026Several court hearings and policies affecting education, health and more will roll out in the new year.
Dallas County sues Trump administration over clawback of public health funds
Read full article: Dallas County sues Trump administration over clawback of public health fundsDallas is the second Texas county to sue over public health cuts after a judge ordered the Trump administration to return $20 million to Harris County last summer.
James Talarico reports raising nearly $7 million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bid
Read full article: James Talarico reports raising nearly $7 million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bidThe Democratic Senate hopeful’s campaign said virtually all the donations, 98%, were for $100 or less. Candidates must file updates by the end of the month.
Tesla loses title as world’s biggest electric vehicle maker as sales fall for second year in a row
Read full article: Tesla loses title as world’s biggest electric vehicle maker as sales fall for second year in a rowTesla lost its crown as the world’s bestselling electric vehicle maker on Friday as a customer revolt over Elon Musk’s right-wing politics, expiring U.S. tax breaks to buyers and stiff overseas competition pushed sales down for a second year in a row.
Victims of the Galveston Bay medical plane crash honored in Texas City before returning to Mexico
Read full article: Victims of the Galveston Bay medical plane crash honored in Texas City before returning to MexicoFive victims of last week’s Galveston Bay medical plane crash are being honored in Texas City before their remains are flown back to Mexico.
Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
Read full article: Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top stories we're watching this year, when voters will have their first chance to make their opinions known on the events of 2025.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls audit of Texas Southern University financials “deeply disturbing”
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls audit of Texas Southern University financials “deeply disturbing”Patrick previously requested a Texas Rangers investigation into any criminal wrongdoing at TSU, one of the nation’s largest historically Black colleges.
Austin police officer Christopher Taylor acquitted in 2019 shooting by appeals court
Read full article: Austin police officer Christopher Taylor acquitted in 2019 shooting by appeals courtTaylor's conviction was the first time a Travis County police officer had been found liable in an on-duty fatal shooting.
Texas 2025: The stories that mattered most to readers
Read full article: Texas 2025: The stories that mattered most to readersThis year, Texans turned their attention to what 17 constitutional propositions meant, the rise of one of the country’s fastest-growing cities and a controversial plan to move billions of gallons of groundwater across the state. One of the most closely watched issues was a proposed THC ban. Readers followed every step as Gov. Greg Abbott […]
Texas to receive $281 million in federal funds for rural health care
Read full article: Texas to receive $281 million in federal funds for rural health careTexas will get the biggest portion of the first rollout of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in tandem with legislation slashing Medicaid funding.
The Rio Grande Valley among Texas regions most impacted by expiring health insurance subsidies
Read full article: The Rio Grande Valley among Texas regions most impacted by expiring health insurance subsidiesIn the Rio Grande Valley, 98% of ACA enrollees received an advanced premium tax credit that lowered their monthly payments. Those subsidies will decrease Jan. 1.
Here are the most important stories from Texas Tribune’s data visuals team in 2025
Read full article: Here are the most important stories from Texas Tribune’s data visuals team in 2025The Tribune’s team of data journalists produced a congressional redistricting tool, covered several education data releases, visualized the measles outbreak and more.
Texas A&M System declines to reinstate fired lecturer despite faculty panel’s findings
Read full article: Texas A&M System declines to reinstate fired lecturer despite faculty panel’s findingsA vice chancellor upheld the firing of Melissa McCoul, seen in a viral video being confronted by a student on her gender identity teachings, saying the termination was done with “good cause.”
Government liable for damage to homes near Houston dams during Hurricane Harvey floods, court rules
Read full article: Government liable for damage to homes near Houston dams during Hurricane Harvey floods, court rulesThe ruling came in a lawsuit from a group of homeowners and could be appealed. An estimated 14,000 homes were inside the Addicks and Barker reservoirs when Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain in 2017.
Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agency
Read full article: Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agencyOne candidate received about $1 million within an eight-day span from the head of a Dallas tax firm — and 72 of his employees — that helps corporations secure tax breaks under comptroller-run programs.